Planning a trip to Tulum, Mexico and wondering what to do? In this complete travel guide you’ll quickly discover why Tulum should be at the top of your dream getaway list! Tulum is a wonderful beach destination, beautiful, exotic and spiritual, there’s lots of things to do in Tulum that will keep you captivated for a week or more!
Tulum is unlike anywhere else. Its beach-meets-jungle vibe is so special. I have spent almost a month in Tulum, and I can tell you there’s a lot to love about the place, from the atmospheric jungle restaurants to the gorgeous beachfront hotels, mysterious cenotes and Mayan ruins, all of which are unique to the area.
In this post, I’ll share the very best things to do in Tulum, including where to eat, drink and stay, at first glance Tulum can be a confusing place, but don’t worry this complete travel guide to Tulum has you covered!
Find the hidden gems and unique activities in Tulum in my complete guide to Tulum!
Why is Tulum so popular?
Tulum is a popular destination thanks to it’s alluring combination of white sand beaches, impressive ruins, great restaurants, cool events and vibrant atmosphere – all created around a jungle landscape, the designs are truly next level!
It’s popularity has exploded in the last decade along with a slew of bohemian luxury hotels, stunning yoga studios and striking sculptures. Yes, it’s a busy place and the traffic can be frustrating at peak times, but there’s really little not to like about Tulum Mexico, it’s well worth a visit!
In This Tulum Guide:
- Best Things To Do In Tulum
- More Activities In Tulum
- Best Day Trip From Tulum
- Where To Eat & Drink In Tulum
- Where To Stay In Tulum
- Tulum Transport Guide
- Tulum Travel Tips
Where is Tulum?
Tulum is located on the southeastern edge of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. It’s two hours from Cancun and in the other direction three hours from Bacalar. In this area it is mostly dense jungle with a strip of white sand and natural wonders all around – a perfect beach escape between Mexican adventures!
When to visit Tulum?
When to go to Tulum depends on what you are looking for! December and January are the busiest and most expensive months to visit, and the heaviest rain falls from June to October. The low season months are best these are, November, February – April.
How many days in Tulum?
Tulum is a great place to visit for either a short or longer stay, but I recommend 5-days minimum, ideally two weeks, there’s lots of things to do in Tulum and things to see around the area such as Bacalar and Sian Ka’an Biosphere. Also bear in mind it will take you a couple of days to get into the Tulum spirit, especially if travelling from Europe!
Top Hotel Picks
La Valise, small luxury beach hotel
Nest Tulum, top-rated boho beach hotel
Encantada, gorgeous ‘beach paradise’ hotel
8 BEST THINGS TO DO IN TULUM
Tulum has expanded in recent years and more than ever you can find things to do in Tulum that are absolutely unique whether you’re into bohemian restaurants or Mayan ritual experiences. Here are the best things to do in Tulum, Mexico!
1. THE BEACH
As soon as you set foot in Tulum you’ll want to head over to beach and get acclimatised! Tulum is well-known for its incredible white sand, jungle greens, turquoise waters and luxury aesthetics, the best thing to do in Tulum is relax on the beach with a cocktail in hand, you can’t beat it!
Playa Paraiso is the main beach in Tulum, but Playa Ruinas has the most attractive setting, it’s directly below Tulum’s ruins, head there in the morning before the day trippers arrive and you will have it all to yourself, do not miss it!
Tip! If it’s your very first time visiting Tulum, I highly recommend starting with a few nights on the beach front, in this guide, 9 Best Beach Hotels In Tulum, you will find your perfect match!
2. TULUM BEACH CLUBS
Tulum’s beach clubs are fantastic, some of the best I’ve ever experienced, they are well organised and equipped with everything you need for a day at the beach.
Be Tulum and Nomade are my favourites and offer relaxing daybeds, hammocks and delicious food along the private beach, a quality section of sand, but there are many more!
Here’s a list of the other beach clubs worth looking at, some are independent and others belong to hotels – I recommend arriving early to make the most out of it as costs usually run into the $$$!
- Habitas, jungle, Middle Eastern & hammocks
- Ziggy Beach, friendly, casual & light bites
- Coco Tulum, beachy white-wood & cocktails
- Ahau Tulum, relaxed & healthy eats
3. TULUM MAYAN RUINS
One of the best things to do in Tulum is walk around the Mayan Ruins, it is not a huge site like Chichen Itza, but what makes the experience special are the beautifully manicured grounds and coastal backdrop, it is stunning and something none of the other ruins have to offer.
You’ll want to avoid the midday sun and opt for a morning tour, this 5-star rated private guided tour from Tulum is the very best way of visiting Tulum’s former Maya city – without the crowds and queue to get in.
4. CENOTES
Cenotes have been around for thousands of years and are incredible and mysterious (the Mayans believe Cenotes are linked to the underworld), a must-see attraction in Tulum!
See at least 2-3 as they all offer different things, some you can jump into and others are great for clear water swimming and sun lounging, Dos Ajos, Calavera and Casa Cenote are the most popular.
You can visit independently with a taxi or car, I opted for a group tour and loved it! If you want to visit three of the best cenotes including the Gran Cenote check out this group tour, the Cenotes are not to be missed.
5. YOGA CLASSES
Yoga is super popular in Tulum and the places to practice are heavenly! You can find everything from rooftop terrace’s in Tulum Town to beach front yoga studios with epic sea views and you don’t have to be a yogi to enjoy them!
As a complete beginner I took relaxing breath classes and hatha yoga complementary to my hotel stay at Lula a Colibri, right on the beach – many of the hotels offer free yoga as part of the package, I also recommend The Beach Tulum.
6. WELLNESS RETREATS
Tulum has become an epicentre for wellness and healing retreats and with all that nature and spiritualty surrounding Tulum, there’s no wonder. Tulum offers every type of wellness retreat imaginable, it’s often the reason why visitors stay in the area!
If you’re looking for a wellness retreat in 2025, the Courageously Playful Woman Retreat takes place May 17-22, it allows you to fully switch off with yoga, breathwork, meditation and guided therapeutic workshops. It even includes wonderful days out as well as beautiful accommodation.
You can secure a spot on this fantastic retreat today and as a reader of Little Wanderblog, this special promotional code: WANDERBLOG200 saves you $200! Take a look at the full details and book here.
7. SIAN KA’AN BIOSPHER
One of the most unique and natural attractions in Tulum is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. A UNESCO 2000 mile reserve protecting freshwater marshes, mangroves, lagoons, wildlife and around 23 Mayan archaeological sights.
You’ll see lot’s of interesting things along the way, turtles, manatees and more birds than you can count, if you’re a nature lover this trip is for you!
To get there, I recommend Sian Ka’an Boat Tour, it’s operated by a reputable tour company in Tulum and includes 4×4 transport and an expert guide.
8. SCULPTURES
You may have already seen a few images of the iconic larger than life sculptures in Tulum, they are striking and attract a lot of attention, plus they are fun to photograph! These natural resourced sculptures and art installations are made by famous artists and designers and for that reason alone it is worth visiting at least one when in Tulum, here are my top picks.
- Ven a La Luz – Hotel Zone at Ahau Hotel
- Azulik Uh May – Mayan jungle art installation
MORE ACTIVITIES IN TULUM
Cycling
Cycling is a fun way of getting to know Tulum and reaching all the different areas and attractions quickly and cheaply (almost everyone cycles). Cycling along the Beach Road is one of the best things to do in Tulum, you’ll find the best boutique shops and coffee stops along here! Usually your hotel will have bikes to rent, if not hire a bike securely with Ola Bike Tulum.
Sunset
Enjoy a drink with a magnificent sunset at Azulik. Make a reservation well in advance for Tseen-ja by Azulik, an unbelievable nest-like Asian-inspired restaurant in the jungle that offers great views and a sophisticated bohemian vibe. Although pricey, it is a great experience. Another fab spot is Mezzanine. It’s the best terrace nearest Tulum’s Ruins, along Beach Road and a nice way to finish with a drink at sunset!
Tulum Town
Explore Tulum Town on bike or foot, this area of Tulum is totally different to the beach, it’s much more local with fair pricing and cool coffee shops. You can even have a look around the two new development areas; La Valeta and Aldea Zema, some of my favourite places to eat are located here such as Alma Verde.
Azulik
Tulum is full of creatives and cool design spaces and Azulik is one of those! The Azulik Group holds many sculptures, artwork, workshops and experiences such as Tseen-ja by Azulik, restaurant terrace in the jungle and Azulik Uh May creative space, while at the hotel’s beach resort there’s a immersive Mayan wellness centre and fantastic yoga studio.
BEST DAY TRIP FROM TULUM
CHICHEN-ITZA
A visit to this part of Mexico isn’t complete without seeing Chichen-Itza. Plan a day trip to explore this Wonder of the World—it’s only two hours from Tulum!
Visiting Chichen-Itza is a must do, if you haven’t been before, seeing it in person is really special, the area is much bigger than you imagine, it’s vast, also very hot! I visited with a small group tour, you can of course explore the grounds on you own, but you would be missing out on all the fascinating stories that bring it to life!
I cannot recommend this experience enough for anyone visiting Tulum, our official Mayan guide was professional and entertaining! We covered so much, including the colonial town of Valladolid with lunch in a beautifully restored mansion and a local cenote to swim.
I selected this full day tour from Mexico Kan Tours, who I chose because of their high ratings, small group numbers and commitment to responsible tourism.
Check availability and book the best tour to Chichen-Itza Here
WHERE TO EAT IN TULUM
In Tulum, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding good places to eat and drink! From humble vans serving incredible coconut lattes to high-end restaurants twinkling in the jungle, here are my top picks for where to eat in Tulum.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
Raw Love Cafe
Raw Love is a fun rustic shack situated directly on the beach, a lovely breakfast spot for fresh juices, acai bowls and iced coffee. You’ll find it next to the Ahau Hotel and the Sculpture Park. There’s also a second terrace serving raw salads in a natural leafy shaded area – often with live music.
Matcha Mama
Matcha Mama is an iconic landmark for photographers and also for eating decorative acai bowls while sitting on a swing! It’s a good stopping off point if you are cycling along the Beach Road, it might not be what you imagine as the area is now built up – and if this isn’t your cup of tea there are plenty more places further along.
Eat At Liefs
Eat At Liefs is a cute little green vegan van set along the Coba Av, it’s the best place for iced coconut lattes and there’s a cute garden area to sit in! I loved stopping by on the way to the beach from Tulum Town, they also serve vegan treats such as banana bread with sustainable local ingredients.
Alma Verde
An up-market location to have breakfast or brunch, Alma Verde is part of the Hunab Lifestyle Centre – one of the latest attractions in Tulum. The menu is creative and healthy and the gardens and terrace are very tranquil and pretty!
La Popular
La Popular a friendly beach front restaurant, open air with character and great quality food! You will find it at Nomade Hotel, I enjoyed a light salad lunch here and didn’t make a reservation, it has a wonderful ambiance and cool decor, one of the best beach experiences in Tulum!
DINNER & DRINKS
Mezzannine Thai
A vibey beach-side Thai restaurant near the Mayan Ruins with sweeping sea views and fab cocktails (try the gin gin mule)! Mezzanine restaurant is a must-visit, a pleasant change of scene and tasty food, particularly the Queen Salad! Lunchtime or sunset are the best times to visit.
Nu Restaurant
Nu Restaurant is in the middle of the most happening part of the Beach Road, located at Nest Hotel. It’s one of the top restaurants in Tulum to indulge in luxury jungle dining with locally sourced ingredients and bespoke cocktails, its best visited in the evenings.
Casa Banana
Casa Banana is a great choice for atmospheric evening meals with a warm and rustic setting thanks to the jungle surrounds and candle lights. It offers an Argentinean menu where almost all of it is grilled – and unusual for Tulum, this one is less vegan-friendly.
Papaya Playa Project
One of the original beach clubs in Tulum, Papaya Playa Project is a sustainable boutique hotel that blends jungle, beach and cool decor, the best way to experience it is to stay for a night or two- or you can attend one of their events and parties.
WHERE TO STAY IN TULUM
Wondering where to stay in Tulum? The best possible location is on the quieter side of South Beach, the beach is the main draw and the hotels along it are incredible. I’ve personally stayed in Lula a Colibri and Encantada and they were both perfect for location, ambiance and facilities.
Tulum Pueblo (Town) and up-and coming La Valeta and Aldea Zama are alternative locations (far from the beach). You’ll need transport, but, they do have their own cluster of cafes and restaurants and more affordable accommodation, if you’re stopping a while.
Tip! Lots of visitors in Tulum split their time between the beach and another more affordable location, especially if working or going on day trips for most of the day.
HOTELS IN TULUM
When it comes to accommodation in Tulum, there’s an abundance of choices. It will all depend on your budget, style and the kind of Tulum experience your looking for! Here are my top hotel picks for Tulum.
Tulum Beach
- Nest check availability & prices
- La Valise check availability & prices
- Encantada check availability & prices
Tulum Pueblo
- Una Vida check availability & prices
- Hotel Bardo check availability & prices
- Casa Agape check availability & prices
Valeta
- Hotel Muara, check availability & prices
- Boutique TerraNova check availability & prices
- Kan Tulum check availability & prices
Aldea Zama
- Naj Tulum check availability & prices
For a full review of the best beach hotels in Tulum, read my full guide: 9 Best Beach Hotels In Tulum – including best areas & tips!
TULUM TIPS
Now you know what things to see and do in Tulum, here’s some important planning information.
BOOK EARY
Tulum is one of the most popular destinations in Mexico, so booking your favourite hotel in advance is essential. Tulum’s hotels typically have fewer rooms and fill up fast, especially hotels in Tulum with pools and yoga.
ADVANCE TICKETS
Book your tickets online and in advance where possible to avoid waiting in the travel agents in Tulum’s Town. Reserve at least two weeks prior for Tulum’s top experiences and day trips.
To book in advance:
- Tseen-ja by Azulik, best sunset drinks
- Chichen Itza, best day trip from Tulum
- Tulum Ruins, top private guide tour
HOW TO GET TO TULUM
BY AIR
Cancun International is the nearest airport to Tulum and the duration is 10-12 hours direct from the UK then a further 2-3 hr transfer to Tulum by car or bus.
Note: Cancun Airport is always extremely busy, on my last arrival it took 2 hours to check through, collect luggage and depart the building!
Getting from Cancun Airport to Tulum:
- Pre-book a taxi £70-£100
- Book Cancun Airport Transport
- Reserve a seat on the Ado bus
RENTAL CAR
If you’re travelling around the Yucatan you can rent a car conveniently at the airport, hiring a car will save you money and is a more flexible way to travel. Discover Cars are great, they provide a comparison of car rental prices from various vendors at Cancun Airport, ensuring you find reasonable rates without the hassle!
BY BUS
In Tulum you can use Colectivo’s – a mini van that you can stop on the main roads in the direction their heading, this is the more affordable way of getting from A to B. An alternative is the ADO bus, is more comfortable like a coach and you can reserve online or in person at the transit hub in Tulum Town, it covers long distances.
GET AROUND TULUM
Bike: Cycling is common and a cheap mode of transport, there’s bike racks, car parks and bikes to hire everywhere. If you’re hotel doesn’t provide bikes you can rent one with Ola Bike Tulum.
Taxi: Taxis are plentiful in Tulum, just flag one down and agree on a price as they are very expensive, even short distances! The cost is also higher at night.
Looking to stay on Tulum Beach for a few days? In this guide, 9 Best Beach Hotels In Tulum, I have highlighted the very best hotels for location, facilities and ambience, including two of my favourite stays.
TULUM FAQ
What is the weather like in Tulum?
The weather is tropical, warm and humid all year round, with temperatures averaging 76-90 degrees, I would avoid the wet season, June to October!
What is the best currency for Tulum?
The currency in Tulum is Mexican Pesos, but most places accept US Dollars. Cash is best for, local places, transport and attraction entrance fees. It’s better to have Pesos before you enter Mexico and try and pay in advance for hotels with a credit card! (It’s not uncommon to see ‘cash on arrival’).
TIP! If you need an ATM, use a proper bank ATM located in Tulum’s town.
What language to they speak in Tulum?
Spanish is the official language of Tulum, but American English is the most commonly spoken within the Hotel Zone of Tulum. Tulum is pretty touristic except for the town, however, a few keywords – hello, please and thank you would be useful.
Is Tulum expensive?
Tulum is expensive compared to the rest of Mexico. You will pay top Dollars for beach hotels, restaurants, drinks and taxis. An iced coffee will set you back $12 and a meal $35, the beachfront is highly priced for everything, and Tulum Pueblo is the most affordable area.
Is Tulum Safe?
While there have been reports on crime in recent years, they are mainly gang-related over ownership, not directly aimed at tourists. As a precaution, you may want to stay clear of illegal jungle raves, but on the whole, yes it is safe to stay in Tulum for tourists.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Tulum is a one-of-a-kind tropical boho beach escape, there’s really nothing like it! I’ve visited a few times and always discover something new, there’s plenty of things to see and do in Tulum that goes beyond a beach holiday, you will not get bored!
Tulum is a lovely spiritual beach break or a great addition to a trip around the Yucatan. I hope you found this complete guide to Tulum useful in planning your own trip.
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Plan your Tulum trip!
Here’s my go-to list of resources for booking flights, accommodation, tours and more:
- Booking.com: For the best hotel rates
- Trip Advisor: The latest reviews & trips
- Viator: For incredible day trips
- Discover Cars: Best car hire
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